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SOUTHERN TRIBUNE.
edited and published weekly, by
wM . B . II AKRISO X ,
CITY PRINTER.
M A C O N , G A .
SATURDAY MORNING, JAN. 12, 1850
,[y YVe are under obligation to the Editors of
Scott’s Paper, Philadelpliia, fora synopsis of
the Reports of the Secretaries of the Interior,
Army, and Nary. The space occupied by these
public documents, is well filled.
TO OIU PATRONS.
As we have changed the character ol the
“Museum," and converted it into the“BouTiiEf.N
Tribune,” vve shall continue the latter upon
the same terms as the former. We take this
opportunity to express our unfeigned thanks to
those who have heretofore patronized us, and
solicit a continuance of tiie same —flattering
ourselves that we shall be enabled to render our
paper more worthy of support.
“Equal rights to all ; exclusive privileges to
none,” is the great foundation principle of the
Democratic creed—the characteristic trait which
distinguishes it from all other creeds—the great
feature which endears it to the people, because
in its practical operation it unites the whole
strength of the community for the equal protce.
lion of each individual ; and because without it
there is no security for rights and no protection
to interests. By this principle we shill test all
measures; by it we shall measure all men.
With these views and purposes, it necessarily
follows that our Paper cannot he the supple organ
of any mere clique of men. While we shall,
with what ability we possess, support the
Democratic Party in its adherence to and ad
vancement of Democratic principles ; and shall
defend those principles against the assaults of
their open and professed enemies, wo shall also,
if need be, defend them against the attacks of
their professed friends.
Among the inducements which determined
our mind in making a change in the characterof
this paper, is the present state of the Republic
and the vast results impending upon the way ward
and distracted spirit of our national councils.
There are conjunctures and perils in the history
of all communities when indecision is ruin and
indifference amounts to a paltry minded sel
fishness, that is only adequately punished bv
the worst inflictions of tyranny. At this
moment we regard these States as involved in
great peril—greater perhaps than ever before in
vested us either from domestic or foreign influ
ences. And the alarming symptom, to our
mind, in the spirit of the times, is, that there
is neither check nor reaction in the progress of
aggressions that are outraging our rights or the
least confusion, or diversion of strength produced
by any—the most heterogeneous combinations
that are made against us. All keep their eyes
steadily fixed upon the grand objjet, and wheth
er before, they hated and fought like devils—
whether the body of our enemies are made up
of subterranean plcbeans or celestial federalism
—of men whose political faith is a violation of
the rights of property, or of those whose caste or
social power exists only by exaggerated wealth ;
whether of priest or atheist, it matters not, all,
all unite against us, and evince a harmony and
a strength in that harmony that shames us by
the contrast and example, while it is working
our ruin. Asa Southern man—whose all is on
board with Southern men, we feel the hour has
come in which we should not he silent or remiss.
If our humble abilities may not he able to conij ass
any thing more effective, we may collate the
ovrrt arts nntJ tlociope' r „ i t .
"* ‘ft v»»4» ivtca ctliu isl till.*
community see what is preparingfnr our children-
The community too should see this as soon as
possible, that the public mind should settle and
at once, upon some permanent line of policy.
better for us even to quietly sink down into a
dumb and stolid endurance than be eternally
agitated by apprehensions of damage and dis
grace that we only half intend to resist. The
sooner we know our fate the better. The soon
er we know, whether the old doctrine so rife in
libi, that we are and should be a consolidated
government, is to be revived, the better, for
then we will look about us for our faction too,
and form our countervailing alliance with some
other portion of the States, tiiat we may somc
times give blows as well as receive them. If
State Rights and independent State Sovereignty
is an “ obsolete idea," let that too be proclaimed,
for then will we no longer seek to arrest the
evils of a dishonest majority legislation by State
interposition, but bide our time, and when it
comes, strike the barbed iron into the flanks of
those who now vex us.
We candidly confess that the amount of the
present stake involved in the great controversy
between the North and South, is not our great
est concern—great as the stake is. Not insensi
ble to the vast consequences to this portion of
the States in any view that can he taken of it,
that must result from any unjust or unauthorized
intermeddling with slavery by Congress, we yet
have no doubt that the violation of national faith
and t\\c future disregard of our sacred charter,
whenever interest or expediency invite a viola
tion of its provisions, would prove the grand
evil that must result from the present anti-slavery
movement and that would soon lead to a complete
overthrow of every guarantee. Where would be
the stopping place ? If in so vital a matter as
the institution of slavery, and in so plain and
express a provision for it in the Constitution, we
are not secure, in what then could we hope to
find security ? Refining implications that can
see a license for national restrictions on the ex
tension of slavery to the remotest limits of the
common territory, could just as easily discern
the justice and propriety of making every
Northern State a garden, by lavishing upon
thorn our common treasure—or vindicate the
superiority in wealth and numbers of tiie great
States, as they are called, by destroying the
equality of representation in the Senate—or im
pose non-exportation laws to build up Northern
factories—or in short, do any thing, how vile
soever, or however regardless of our bond of
l nion. If the North now succeed- in over
riding us, the day of constitutional government
is ended. A majority vote in Congress then
becomes the law of our land, not even to be
balked a moment by the Executive veto. Not a
majority vote against us only, but as it may suit
the cupidity or wilfulness of the larger States as
in any direction, and upon any point they may
precipitate their power. What then does ij
behoove us to do ? Let no man, however high
or humble in our community, evade the discus
sion of this pregnant inquiry. For now, till
this question is well and fully answered, there
is but little left to interest us. In comparison
to this danger, how small every other political
interest —how bootless and frivolous old and
effete party issues. Let us have dona with
divisions —and scorn the unmeaning policy ol
dividing brethren from each other by air lines,
while they are threatened by a common danger.
U'e must act energetically and promptly and
together. Already do our people begin to feel
despondent and to have something ofthat dejec
tion and want of heart in our progress that the
man feels who is uncertain of the tenure of his
inheritance. Let the pride of men and of free
men, first glory in self preservation, and then
Jet us have the pride oftrue patriotism in saving
ibis Union. W ccan doboth, if we only rally.
We now unfurl our banner to the breeze,
commending it to the fostering rare of our
friends and the tender mercies of our political
opponents.
C it v Election. —The following is the result
of the election held in this City on Saturday
last for Mayor and Aldermen :
FOR MAYOR.
Geo. M. Logan, 26i |S. T.Chapman, 242
FOR ALDERMEN.
A. P. Powers, 235
Lewis J. Groce, 22!)
A Mix, 223
W. S. Lanier, 221
C. A Ells, 213
1L C. Freeman, 213
(i. W. Price, 1!)1
W. S. Ellis, 175
W. B. Watts, 67
T. J. Shinholser,* 293
William Dibble,* 200
Robert Findlay,* 289
Z. T. Conner.* 287
if. G. Ross,* 28(i
IL F. Hess,* 207
William Collins,* 252
J. M. Green,* 24!)
Scattering 25
FOR CLERK AND TREASURER.
A. R. Freeman, .... 416
‘Elected.
Countv Election. —The election for County
Officers of IJifib county, on Monday last, resul
ted as follows :
For Sheriff. —Thos. Bagby, (no opposition.)
Clerk Superior Court. —U. G. Ross, (no opposi
tion )
Clerk Inferior Court. —E. G. Jeffers.
Tax Collector. —Richard Cain.
Tax Receiver. —Uenj. Russell.
Judge Inferior Court. —Henry Wood.
Coroner. —Jesse Morris.
County Surveyor. —Wm. Wood.
Southern Enterprise. —The Southern Sen
tinel, published in Columbus,says : “The South
is every day getting to look more to the devel
opment of its ow n resources for the supply of
its necessities. The evidences of thisspirit are
all around us, not the least pleasing of which,
especially to the printer, is furnised in the Rock
Island Paper Mill, which has just commenced
operations in our midst. The paper on which
this edition of the Sentinel is published, is the
first fruits of that enterprise. This company
will manufacture just as good an article, and
sell it on better terms than it can be purchased
from any northern house. Wc were most for
cibly impressed a few days since on visiting the
factory, with the transforming power of well
directed industry. A few months since, the
spot were it now stands in successful operation,
was a wild and almost pathless forest. Now its
silence has been broken by machinery, and its
wilderness converted into the happy home of
labor.
[pj» The Savannah Republican of the 3rd inst.
says: “Ilerr Downey attempted the novel feat
of crossing the river on a wire, on New \ ear s
day. He had made some progress towards the
opposite shore, when his wire, which was not
stretched tight enough, began to vibrate, and
thereupon llerr D. was straightway soused into
the river. A volunteer, who appeared to be a
sailor, next attempted to go over on the wire,
hand over hand, using his feet at the same time,
but the wire fustnings on the opposite shore
cither gave way, or some wag cut them loose,
and he, poor fellow, was soused in like manner.
Thus ended the trials of the day."
Onto Legislature. —The Senate has at
length organized, by the election of 11. G, Blake,
(Whig) Speaker, on the three hundred and first
ballot, lie hud seventeen votes to sixteen for
all others. Knapp, (Dern.) was re-elected Clerk,
on the second ballot, by a like vote, it is under
stood that Swift (Detn. Free Soiler) voted for
Blake as Speaker, and that Blake voted for
Knapp for Clark.
Millekism and Insanity. —Since the opening
of the New Hampshire Asylum tor the Insane,
in 1842, no less than twenty-two persons have
been received as patients who have become in
sane through the influence of Milleristn.
Incident in a Mad House. —Some months
since, an incident oceured in the Boston Luna
tic Hospital, of a very peculiar character. A
mother and daughter both became inmates, and
were placed in the same story of the building,
where they had access to the same hall. They
met, and recognized each other, though one had
left the other, years ago, in Ireland Both had
crossed the ocean, became residents here, and
Install knowledge of the other’s history or fate ;
and both became bereft of reason, and came
upon the public for support; and in a mad
house, surrounded by those who were hopeless
ly insane, the child and parent met and though
reason was dethroned, and each, ti ns there, with
a “mind diseased,” yet Nature triumphed over
the clouded intellect, and, for a brief moment,
the parties talked of the land of their birth, and
when they had separated from each other. This
incident is of romantic interest, sufficient to suit
the most anxious inquirer after extraordinary
advantages.
Mutual Lite Insi m.<u. —Ten years ago
says Hunt's Merchants Magazine, Life Insu
rance was scarcely known in this country. Not
over one in 30,000 of the American people had
resorted to it ; very little knowledge of the sys
tem had been diffused among our people up to
that time—there were few who had any definite
idea of the system —the masses gave no thought
to the subject, and others, equally ignorant ol
its tme character, regarded it with pious horror,
as implying a distrust of God’s providence in the
affairs of men. The error and this prejudice
have passed away, and thousands and tuns ol
thousands of our citizens, in all parts of the
Union, are steadily resorting to Life Insurance,
as the best and surest method of protecting their
families from a precarious dependence upon the
life of an individual.
In tiie estimation of well-informed and think'
ing men, this institution now holds a front rank
among the benevolent enterprises which mod
ern philanthropy lias originated for mitigating
the evils, and for enhancing the enjoyments ol
social life.
Every good citizen, every man whose means
are taxed to relieve the wants of others —in
short, every member of the community, he his
position what it may, is interested in the exten
sion of the system of Life Insurance ; inasmuch
as the diffusion of its moral influence, and of
the substantial benefits which result from it,are
eminently calculated to strengthen the bonds of
social life, and to avert the destitution and suffer
ing which otherwise would too often fall to the
lot of the helpless and dependent.
Business enterprises carried to successful is
sues in a right direction, always afford ground
for congratulation ; and especially, as in the
present instance, where all the advantages re
sulting from it, instead of enrichinga privileged
few, are reserved to be distributed among the
many, for whose benefit the insurance was ori
ginally intended.
Tn e Poor Soldi er. —The destitute condition
of several of the brave and patriotic remnants
of the New York volunteer regiment, who
fought so gallantly in Mexico, has induced sev
eral of the benevolent citizens of New York to
contribute towards the immediate necessities of
these maimed and suffering fellow-citizens-
Pierre M. Van Wick lias just given SIOO.
Consumption in New York. —Out of the 22,-
374 deaths in New York City in 184'.), it appears
that 3,718 died of diseases of the lungs, (2,050
by actual consumption,) being, if we deduct the
5,072 cholera cases, one-fifth of the whole num
ber The ratio of deaths of the whites is about
1 in 20 to the population.
Cherokee Affairs. —The Fort Smith Herald
of the 12ih ult. says:
An old Cherokee settler informed us the oth
er day tiiat the Treasurer of the Nation, Mr.
David Vann, is a defaulter to the Nation to the
amount S7OOO, and that when his accounts were
audited by the committee appointed for that pur
pose, and reported to the Counsil, the matter was
hushed up and kept from the people. Mr. Vann
was afterwards appointed dullegate to Washing
ton, and is still the treasurer of the Nation, —
Well,the Indians are learning all the crooks
and turns of their “illustrious predecessors,"
the civilized whites.
Death of Sir I. Brunei.. — Sir I. Brunei,Un
distinguished Engineer of Thames Tunnel, &<•
died in London on the 12th of December, in Lis
81st year. He was a native of llacqueviUe,
Norniady. At the revolution of 1792 he fled to
the United States, where lit: resided for some
time engag< and in duties as engineer, architect,
&c. lie returned to Lnglnnd where he pertec
ted some machinery for making ship blocks.
Other inventions were made by him, but the
Thames Tunnel, w hich was projected and ac
complished by him, is the chief triumph of his
genius, lie was knighted under Lord Mel
bourne’s administration. He leaves a widow,
Lady Brunei, one son, an eminent engineer, and
two daughters.
U7P The distressed needle women of London,
have been made the object of a Commission of
inquiry instituted by the Morning Chronicle of.
Three gentlemen well known in literature have
exarriind the state of this unfortunate class, and
the result is, that there lives in London a bod_\
of about 33,000 women permanentlv at the starv
ation point; working at the wages of a few
pence a day.
France and America. —Tiie system of in
ternational exchanges, so happily established
through the efforts of the indefaligable Vatte
maro, is working well, and cannot fail to be
widely and eminently useful. The following
letter shows that the French Government does
not wish to be behind that of tiie United States
in its practical appreciation of the system :
Paris, Nov. 28, 184!).
“I have before me a list of the medals which
the government places at your diaposal to offer
to the United States. It comprises one thousand
and eighteen pieces of different designs. 1 no
tice a George Washington, the Taking of Bos
ton, a Paul Jones, the Capture of the Serapis,
two Franklins, and two of the Battie of Cow
pens. These medals will assuredly bo well re
ceived by the Americans ; and, for my part, 1
mention them because they prove with what
warmth Franco entered into the war of the rev
olution—Frnuce, that has rendered the same
homage to the glorious children of America as
to the natives of her own soil.
“Should dip’omacy bo employed in the pre
sentation of this magnificent collection, it will
he only with a view to give the affair more so
lemnity, and to afford stronger evidence of the
friendly disposition of the French government.
You will be none the less considered as the me
dium of the exchanges.
“I have spoken to you several times of the
museum. I am now able to state to you tha
Messrs. Cordier and Miln Edwards have been
directed by the Council of Administration to
prepare two collections of minerals and insects
for you."
Report of tUe Secretary of the Navy.
lie refers to the many desertions in California,
. nd the difficulty of enlisting men there at $lO
and sl2 per month, u bile the merchant service
is paying from SBS to $l5O.
Our squadrons in the Mediterranean, Pacific,
China seas, on the Brazil coast, &c., have all
been received with kindness and treated with
courtesy.
Lt. Davis has been charged with the duty of
superintending the preparation of a Nautical Al
manac, and Prof. Page lias been entrusted with
the duty of making practical experiments for
testing the capacity and usefulness of the elec
tro-magnetic power, as a mechanical agent for
the purpose of navigation and locomotion.
The Secretary gives a full account of the steam
mail service. The Liverpool line will probably
be completed within tiie time stipulated. This
system, however, of increasing the Navy by
ocean steamers is deprecated ns too costly. For
“a naval establishment, that which vve arc most
in need of is an independent naval force, of such
extent and of such magnitude as the wisdom
and liberality of Congress may think sufficient,
and the necessities of the country require.”
The number of insane persons now in the na
vy hospital is but 12.
The resolution authorizing the purchase of
American, instead of foreign water rotted hemp,
will have to be amended, in order to avoid a
monopoly, and insure the growers of the article
the supply of the navy. It is believed the West
can furnish a sufficient supply superior to the
foreign growth.
The experiments in gunnery at the Washing
ton Navy Yard have been very successful, and
the observations and experiments at the Obser
vatory continued with great skill.
Reference is made to the examination of the
Pacific coast by a joint commission of officers—
to the floating dry docks at Philadelphia, Pensa
cola and Riltery—and to the returns of prize
agents.
A revision and repubiication of the various
laws passed for the government of the navy and
of the general orders of the Navy Department
urgently ecmanded attention.
Attention is asked to onr interest in the Paci
fic ocean, and to the increasing obligations the
Government are under to protect and cherish
it. Within a short period vve have added an ex
tent of sea coast to our possessions of more than
nine hundred miles, embracing many good, and
one of the best harbors in the world, possessing
immense mineral wealth, attracting to its shores
the inhabitants of all nations and inviting to it
the commerce and trade of every climate.
The four first class sea-going steamships are
in a course of completion ; the San Jacinto will
he ready in the Spring, and the other two during
the ensuing Summer. The Secretary recom
mends the building of others.
Thu Secretary says the number of officers of
the Navy in the higher grades are greater than
are required, either for the vessels now in com
mission, for the number of men authorised by
Congress to be employed, or for any increase of
force afloat which may reasonably be expected.
The numbers in the respective grades are dis
proportioned to each other. Its present organi
zation retards promotion. Age, infirmity, and
want of employment have disqualified many for
the performance of active professional duties!
These evils are felt and acknowledged by all
who have a just regard for the prosperity and
of the service.
if - heretofore recommends a reduction of the
numbers in the various grades of officers to that
point which will secure a sufficient number in
each for such a naval force as Congress may de
termine is necessary and proper, and that provi
sion be made for a retired list for such officers as
are disqualified for active service, on such terras
and with sucli pay as may he thought’ liberal
and just. Should Congress deem it proper to
adopt such a system, it is believed a plan can
be prepared which will meet the approbation of
a large proportion of the officers themselves, and
which will greatly reduce the expenditure of
our naval establishment.
Attention is invited to the naval school at An
napolis- During the last year it lias been under
the superintendence of Commodore Upshur,
who has devoted himself with zeal to the dis
charge of his duties. Experience had disclosed
many defects in its organization and suggested
many improvements which might he readily ef
fected without materially increasing the expen
diture for the institution.
The estimates for the naval service for the en
suingyear amount to $9,203,35615, frown which
deduct $2,998,978 for special objects.
The total amount drawn from the Treasury
during the fiscal year ending tiie 30th of June,
1841), is $13,167,966 86 ; from which deduct re
payments $2,269,623,99, and the sum of $lO,-
898,342 87 is shown as the expense of the navy
and marine corps, and including all the objects
placed under the control of the Navy Depart
ment for that year.
The unexpended balance iu the Treasury of
the appropriations for the naval service and ma.
tine corps on the 30th of June, 1849, was $2,-
039,798 13, all of which will be required to
meet the outstanding obligations due from the
appropriations made for that year.
The value of stores and materials on hand at
navy yards for naval purposes, exclusive of ship
building, in ordinary, undergoing repairs and in
commission, navy yards and other public lands
required for the purposes of the navy, with their
improvements, is $9,853,921 27.
The report closes by asking for an appropria
tion to pay a balance of $30,000 to officers and
privates, entitled to three months’ extra pay for
services during the Mexican war.
Annual Report of tire Secretary of tire In
terior.
The annual report of Mr. Ewing, Secretary of
the Interior, occupies four and a half columns of
the Intelligencer. It recommends the creation
of the office of Solicitor of the Department of
the Interior, to determine all legal questions:
and suggests, in view of the decay of the public
buildings at Washington, that specimens of the
stone, of which they are built bo carefully ana
lyzed, and that a series of experiments he tried,
with a view oHimling some chemical agent, the
application of w hicli will prevent its absorption
of moisture, and tints strengthen and render it
durable.
The wings of the Patent Office are being con
structed of a different material—white marble,
from the quarry in Baltimore county, Md. list
a strong stone, resisting about three times ns
great a crushing force as the sandstone of the
front building. All the practicable tests which
were applied show it to he durable. It is a ma
terial of great beauty, and it will be easier to
make the front building correspond with the
gray gneiss, or any other strong and durable
stone of mixed or varied colors, which could be
readily procured.
The Secretary thinks, if Congress should
make an appropriation, considerable progrcs s
may be made in the coining season, in collecting
choice varieties of forest trees and shrubs, and
planting and improving the public grounds.
The Patent Office, which marks the progress
and results of the inventive genius of the Ameri
can people, is and object of increasing interest
and importance. The establishment of an Agri
cultural Bureau, separated from the Patent Office>
is recommended.
The claims for bounty land warrants filed at
the Pension Office, prior to Nov. 5, was about
38,000 ; of these, 9,000 have been suspended or
rejected ; and about 20,000 remain to be filed.
The number of invalid pensioners has increased
during the year, 989 ; the whole number now on
the list is 4,115.
The quantity of public lands sold for cash, in
the first three quarters of 1849, was 887,206,040
acres, and the amount located by bounty war
rants 2,496,560 acres, making an aggregate in
crease over the sales and locations of the prece
ding year, of 410,325,80 acres.
Os 163,000 claims for bounties, 2,922 have
been satisfied in money, and 70,390 have been
allowed to be satisfied in land—which will re.
quire 10,636,120 acres ; and should there be but
100,000 valid claims, as estimated, then there
will remain 26,688 unsatisfied claims, which, i(
settled in land, will require a further quantity
0f4,020,480 acres, making in all 14,656,600 acres-
Prior to Ist of October last there had been loca
ted with those Mexican war warrants, 5,025,-
400 acres, leaving yet to be located 9631,200
acres. Until the bounty warrants are exlinus.
ted, receipts in cash from the sales of public
lands must he comparatively small.
Considerable space is devoted to an account
of the gelegical exploration and surveys of the
mineral lands in Michigan,Wisconsin, and Iowa;
and also in relation to the public lands in Oregon,
' California, and New Mexico.
The Secretary says it will be especially nc
cessarv to establish a judicial commission to ex
amine and settle land titles in California. As
to the disposition the Government should make
of its mineral lands in California, the Secretary
says:
Iftlie United States sell the mineral lands for
cash,and transfer at once all title to the gold
which they contain, hut a very small part of
their value will probably ho realized. It would
he better, in iny opinion, to transfer them for
sale or lease, reserving a part of the gold collec
ted as rent or seignorage.
After recommending a mint in California,
the Secretary proceeds:
When the land is properly divided, it will, in
my opinion, he best to dispose of it, whether by
lease or sale, so as to create an estate to be held
only on condition that the gold collected from
the mine shall be delivered into the custody of
an officer of the branch mint. Out of the gold
so deposited there should be retained, for rent
and assay, or coinage, a fixed per cent., such as
may be deemed reasonable, and the residue pass
ed to tiie credit of the miner, and paid to him at
in drafts on the Treasury or mint of the United
States.
The gold in the mine, and after it is gathered
until brought into mint, should be and remain
the property of the United States. The palter,
sale, gift, or exportation of any portion of it be
fore it shall have been delivered at the mints
and so coined, or assayed and stamped, or it,
concealment with intent to avoid the payment
of rent or seignorage, should involve a forfeit
ure of the gold itself, and also of the mine. The
terms of lease or sale should be straingent, to
enforce the pay ment ofseignorage and rents.
So far as the surface deposite extend, I am of
opinion that leases will, for yet a further reason,
be paeforable to sale of the lands. If sold, they
will pass at onec into the bunds of large capital
ists ; if leased, industriuos men without capital
may become the proprietors, as they can work
the mines and pay the rent out of the proceeds.
But where gold is found in the rocks in placers
the case is different. These must necessarily
fall into the hands of large capitalists or joint
stock companies, ns they cannot be wrought
without a heavy investment.
The report concludes by urging the opining of
a road to the Pacific, and referring to Indian
affairs, which is retreated of at length.
Annual Report or tin- Secretary of War.
The annual report of Mr. Crawford, Secreta
ry of War, occupies only a little over two col
umns of the National Intelligencer, and we
1 :arn from it that the present strength of the
Army is less than provided for by law, arising
principally in discharges, deaths and desertions.
Out of a force of 1200 regular troops in Cali
fornia since the Ist of January, the desertions
the first eight months have equalled two-thirds
of that number.
To remedy many of the defects of the present
recruiting system, and encourage enlistments
in the vicinity of the troops serving at frontier,
and remote stations, especially in California,
Oregon and New Mexico, it is recommended
that a bounty be allowed to each recruit enlist
ed at or near such stations, equal to the cost of
transporting and subsisting a recruit from the
general depot to the place of such enlistment.—
To guard against desertions and promote good
conduct, it is proposed that the bounty should
be divided into instalments, so that their sever
al amounts would be increasing annually accor
ding to the length of service, and the largest
amount be paid to the soldier on his discharge.
This bounty would also be a strong inducement
to old soldiers to re-enlist in their respect.
I ive companies, an object always deemed ofilii
j portaneu to the service.
It has been found impracticable to carry
into effect the provisions of the act of the 14; of
August, 1848, which authorises au in ere arse of
the rank and file of certain regiments by trans
fers from others of the same arm ; the present
organization being too limited, and the difficul
ty of keeping the several companies up to
their legal compliment too great, to hazard a
further reduction with the due regard to ti e
disciplide and efficiency ol the several
crops.
For the protection of our territory in K evv
Mexico from Indian depredations it is sugges
ted that numeicral stength of each compay at
the several military post in our western frontier
he increased seventy-four privates, and that a
part of the infantry be mounted as emergencies
arise.
The Secretary submits wheatlicr the object in
authorizing brevet commissions (which haic
heretofore cused much embarrassment) is not
accomplished by retaining them as honorary
distinctions, and restricting the officers holding
them to their lineal rank and, pay according if,
their commissions by which they are mustered
in their respective regiments aud corps. If any
exceptions be made to the rule here proposed, it
isbeiieved that in view of of the more efficient
discipline and service of the troops, brevet
rank and pay should exist only when volunteers
arid militia are united with the regular army;
or when the officers having brevet commissions
are detailed for duty by special assignment with
difficult or expensive coiniiiuds in remote depart
ments or divisions.
It is recommended that a law he enacted, re
quiring officers of the general stall’ serving with
troops, to execute according to their respective
duties all order emanating from the senior officer
of the line, which may relate to the discipline
police and good order of his command, and for
which ho alone is responsible.
The Secretary makes some appropriate rem
arks touching retiring disabled officers from the
army, and suggest that the President be author
ized to place upon the retired list such as in his
judgment may be disqualified from age, wounds
or other disability, with an allowance equal to
the pay proper of their respective grades. An
effective check on the exereiz of this power is
no officer shall be retired until the Senate shall
have confirmed the nomination eFhis successor.
The numherer of those who may, with advant
age to the public service, be retired, will proba
bly not exceed twenty-five; the sum of whoso
pay will he less than fifteen thousand dollars
annually.
The plan of the commanding General provid
ing an asylum for veteran soldiers, is warmly
urged ; or in case of its non-adoption that dis
bursing officers be authorzed to recteve volunta
ry contributions for that object.
The Military Academy at West Point ishiglilr
commended, and the Indian outrages in New
Mexico, Texas and Florida, referred to at
length.
The establishment of military posts in Oregon
—the protection afforded overland emigran's to
California—and the erection of fortifications on
the Pacific, are next referred to, and the report
closes with reference to the operation of the late
military authority in California, now suppress
ed by tiie civil authority.
Maryland Legislature. —The Charleston
Courier says: The Legislature of Maryland con
vened in the city of Annapolis on the 31st. At
the hour of 12 o’clock M the Chief Clerk called
the Seriate to order. The roll wos called, and
all the members but three answered to their
names, and were duly qualified. The Senate
then adjourned till the following morning.
In the House of Delegates, at 12 o’clock, M.,
the Chief Clerk of the last House, called the
members to order, and they were sworn in.
'1 here were hut five ahscntei s. Without pio
ceeding to the election of a Speaker, the House
also adjourned.
It is understood that Ex-Governor I’r.itt is the
favorite of a majority of the Whigs as their can
didate for United States Senator. There is said
to lie 37 members of the House in favor ofjlr.
Pratt out of the 82.
Destruction or the Snip Caleb Grimshaw,
The N. Y. Commercial says : “The steamship
Cambria brings us an account of the loss of this
splendid ship by fire, at sea. We subjoin the
account given by Cupt. Iloxie to his owners.
The Caleb Grimshaw was owned by Samuel
Thompson and nephew of this city, and was
built in this city in 1848, in a superior manner.
She was of 987 tons burthen; valued at about
SBO,OOO, and had a cargo on board worthatJcast
$200,000. The vessel and about two-thirds ot
the cargo were insured in Wall-street. Tho
rest in England.
The crew and passengers numbering 399 souls,
w ere, with much difficulty, saved by the British
hark Sarah, Capt. Cook, who remained by the
burning vessel eight days for tlmt purpose.
Wo learn that insurance was effected on the
Caleb Grimshaw on Saturday last, at double the
usual rates only, so great was the confidence in
the ship and Captain.”
Hungari an Citizens. —Count Ujhazy, Mi*
Jngello, and fourteen other Hungarians, M
Monday last, at New York, declared their in
tention to become citizens of the United Stales*
by taking the first legal steps.
Legislature ok New Y ork. — In Assembly
on the 2d inst., Noble S. Eldorkin, of St. La
wrence county, was chosen Speaker, and James
S. Rose, of Albany, Clerk. Both are Demo
crats.
Singular Fact. — It is stated that wliile the
subscription in New Y’ork, in aid of the Hung 4
rian Refugees, has nearly reached $4,000, a P ru
position to raise funds i«»r tli6 rc!»cf of *- w 1 ‘
tiled New- York Volunteers has entirely failed-
Official. —The following is a copy of
Superintendent of the Finances of the Is lan 0
Culm, received from tbe United States C l,n,a
at Havana :
(Translation.)
By royal order, under date of October -U ,
Majesty has been pleased to grant to the p Ol
Cardenas the privileges of general cotnl '' C ( j.
enjoyed by the other ports of entry of tho > a4
and as that order of the Sovereign C ( j (
mnee to rule on the first day ol January
is made public by order of his
Superintendent General of the Royal l reilS
for general information.
Joaquin CampO* aS °'
Havana, Nov. 26 1849.
Enormous Land Sales. — According
Commissioner of the General Land
the past year upwards of six mi 11 ions 0
of land were advertised for sale, and mo
six and a half millions are prepared Tot
a groat part ol which will ho proclaim®
the ensuing year.